SpaceX’s Starship SN9 passed a static fire test on Friday, after replacing two engines from last week’s issues, according to an original report from NASASpaceFlight.com.
This means the the next Starship release It could happen (of SN9) next week – probably on Monday, January 25th, as writing.
RELATED: SPACEX SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED STARSHIP SN8, LANDED
SpaceX’s Starship SNX executes a successful static fire flow
Starship SN9 quickly recovered from engine problems after last week’s three-part static fire test – and while there was potential for a launch this week, preventative efforts once again put a damper on flow static fire push launch possible back sometime next week.
Starship had been aiming to offer a simpler pad testing process compared to its predecessor – SN8. But after the first test, the three birds of prey did not burn SN9 during the static test, meaning the test had to be tried again.
Following road closures and fuel work, the SN9 was aiming for launch sometime later in the week. But once the first sensation was over, the normal double-vent we see later didn’t happen.
Today at SpaceX it’s all about starting the Starship engine. Vessels are held down by large pins while engines are fired. Two starts finish, about a third try.
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 13 January 2021
Tri-leaf static fire tests will be able to fly three times a day
So, instead of the usual detanking operations we usually see after a test, SN9 was recycled for a second, then the third static fire test. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk tweet: “Today at SpaceX it’s about to start the Starship engine. Two starters are ready, about a third to try.”
This process allows the company to test “rapid refueling and reuse” – which is essential in Starship’s action design, NASASpaceflight.com reports. In 2020, Musk noted that Starship aims to fly at least three flights, per day.
Tests last week showed that Starship SN9 needed new engines
After completion of test procedures, follow-up studies were performed and found that only two of the three Raptor engines had fired during the second and third tests.
Later, the SpaceX team discovered how one of the “three-vents” had been switched off, resulting in one of the engines being inactive for the last two tests.
In response to himself, Musk tweeted: “All three static fires have been completed & no RUDn. Detanking & inspections now. Good progress towards our ‘Hop in & go to Mars!’ Goal,” but reveal later why one of the engines did not fire for the second and third tests.
SpaceX’s SN9 aims to launch on Monday, January 25th
New Raptors were then added to the launch pack, to turn both faults out, with a quick turnaround time to resume attempts at static fire tests on Monday, Jan. 18 – though which all attempts were blocked, until Friday.
While a review of the vehicle and engine performance on Friday is still pending, the track to launch the Starship SN9 is almost open, with the earliest possible launch date for Monday, January 25th.
SpaceX’s Starship SN9 is aiming for a launch test similar to SN8s – without the big explosion at the end. But for now, how high Elon Musk wants the new vehicle to go is still to be seen.